Australia Ready to Sign Second Kyoto Protocol
Climate Change Minister Greg
Combet declared that Australia's pledge to the second period of the Kyoto
Protocol is not a blank check. Australia is set to sign on the second
Kyoto Protocol commitment period with the order that developed and still
developing countries exert effort towards a new global climate change agreement
by 2015. "Australia is taking this position to the UN Conference at
Doha in a very clear context. First countries right around the world are
increasingly taking real action to combat climate change. Secondly, all
countries are now working on the new global agreement that will be concluded by
2015, and take effect from 2020," Combet stated in a speech to the
Australian Carbon Expo in Melbourne. To read this article in full click
here
EDF Renewable Energy Touts Two Renewable Projects
EDF Renewable Energy hosted a Progress
and Partnership event this week to celebrate the construction and operation of
two renewable projects: the 140 megawatt Pacific Wind project, which began
operation in August, and the 143 MW Catalina Solar project, which will begin
construction in December. San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) has purchase
agreements with EDF Renewable Energy for the renewable power from both
projects. Matt Burkhart, SDG&E’s vice president of electric and fuel
procurement, says the two renewable projects “are significant not only to
SDG&E’s customers, but to the entire state of California in its efforts to
meet aggressive environmental goals. We have been committed from the start to
helping get viable, economic renewable resources developed and the Pacific Wind
and Catalina Solar projects are perfect examples of renewable projects that
have succeeded in reaching the finish line.” To read this article in full click
here
Duke Energy to give $2 million to Palmetto Clean
Energy
As part of its continuing commitment
to the communities it serves, Duke Energy has given the first half of a $2
million contribution to Palmetto Clean Energy (PaCE), a South Carolina
non-profit program designed to improve the quality of the environment by
promoting the development of renewable energy resources, such as solar, wind
and water. "Spearheading the advancement of technologies that promote the
generation of electric energy through environmentally friendly, renewable
resources in South Carolina is important to Duke Energy," said Clark
Gillespy, Duke Energy state president - South Carolina. "Our ongoing
partnership with PaCE and this contribution highlights our commitment to these
efforts." "Dollars contributed to PaCE will support renewable energy
produced right here in South Carolina, giving a boost to our state's economy
while protecting our environment. That's why we worked hard to secure this
commitment from Duke Energy," To read this article in full click
here
California's first auction of greenhouse-gas credits
nears
After six years of
preparation, California is poised to become the first state to combat global
warming by capping greenhouse gas emissions and making major polluters pay
to release more of these gases into the atmosphere. It's part of a landmark law
approved in 2006 that seeks to cut the state's production of carbon dioxide,
methane and related gases to 1990 levels — about 17% lower than current amounts
— by 2020.
Starting next week, big
polluters will be required to buy pollution credits if they plan to emit
greenhouse gases above their allotted levels. On Nov. 14, the state is
scheduled to launch the market-based "cap-and-trade" program of
selling pollution credits at auction. This year, the program covers about 350
industrial businesses operating a total of 600 facilities throughout the state.
They include cement plants, steel mills, food processors, electric utilities
and refineries. Starting in 2015, the program will also cover distributors of
natural gas and other fuels. To read this article in full click
here
EBRD invests €10 billion in renewable energy
Development bank shows the way to
energy efficiency finance and calls on governments to build the momentum
through better legislation, standards and incentives. €10 billion is close to
the GDP of several EBRD countries of operations. The European Bank for
Reconstruction and Development has announced that its investments in energy
efficiency and renewable energy have reached €10 billion (over US$ 13 billion)
since the launch of its Sustainable Energy Initiative (SEI) in 2006. This
milestone was announced in Istanbul, Turkey during an EBRD panel discussion
held in parallel with the Climate Investment Funds 2012 Partnership Forum. SEI
has financed 552 projects ranging from the insulation of a nursery in Slovakia
(watch video) to energy efficiency credit lines in Turkey. The project that
brings the total of EBRD SEI financing to €10 billion is the new 53 MW Kukinia
wind farm in Poland. To read this article in full click here
Massive carbon emissions cuts needed by 2050 to avoid
environmental disaster
A report released by PWC,
which examines the progress of different countries in reducing their carbon
footprint, shows that the world will have to reduce its carbon emission by 2050
to prevent global temperatures from rising more than 2 degrees this
century. The annual Low Carbon Economy Index report by PwC
examines the progress made by developed and emerging economies in reducing
their emissions per unit of gross domestic product. The basic fact is this:
Since the pre-industrial times, global temperatures have risen by 0.8 degrees
Celsius. In order to prevent the dangerous and potentially devastating impacts
of climate change, 200-some nations agreed in the 2010 United
Nations climate talks to take measures that would limit the rise to below
2 degrees C (3.6° Fahrenheit). To read this article in full click
here
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